Scammer on this forum

[Dave240]

I got an email the other day through this forum and I'm not sure if it's a scam or not. I'll keep the contact info out of it, until I know more. But his response set off a few alarm bells - wanting payment in USD, and a dormant paypal account. Anyone else agree it could be a scam?

"I have three-eared spinners for an Elan+2. Send me an email via
[email protected] for info."

"Hello Dave

Thanks for writing. Yes I'm in United Kingdom and I still have an
original set of three eared spinners for a Elan +2 in excellent shape
and condition. I'm asking $220 USD and I will be shipping via UPS or
FedEx on a 3 - 4 working days delivery and will accept payment via
Money Gram as my PayPal is currently dormant. What's your complete
shipping address?

Many thanks again and regards,

Harry"

[Jason1]

Hi

If I was you I would decline the offer to use Money Gram and suggest he sets up another Paypal account. I have heard bad stories about Western Union and such.

Jason

[Dave240]

I asked him for pictures of the spinners and his forum username. I don't think he'll get back to me. I would never use Western Union or any service like that. Just wanted to post this as a warning to other users who may be targetted by this guy.

[Dave240]

Definitely a scammer. All members, please be aware!

Here's the rest of his info:

Harry Martinez
23 Clayton's Gate, Town Centre, Preston PR1 2EH, United Kingdom.
[email protected]

I don't know if any of that is real or not, but that's what he is using. Don't get conned by this guy! Moderators, if you can see what user is affiliated with this e-mail address, can you ban him?

[ardee_selby]

Number 23?? "Town Centre" and not Market Street West ??

Thanks for the warning. Hope it gets wide coverage.

Richard

[ardee_selby]

Here's the rest of his info:

Harry Martinez

More than that:

Quote: 'The Insider', published in 2009, introduced hot-shot hacker Harry Martinez,

From: http://www.independent.ie/entertainment ... 95475.html

Richard

[types26/36]

Well this is what I get for "23 claytons gate"

[ardee_selby]

Well this is what I get for "23 claytons gate"

I have those as addresses on "Friargate"

Whatever..maybe the difficulty in locating it is why it was chosen.

Richard

[types26/36]

I have those as addresses on "Friargate"Richard

If I rotate the picture it shows Friargate opposite Claytons Gate at the other side of the road and is the same sort of alleyway.

[ardee_selby]

I have those as addresses on "Friargate"Richard

If I rotate the picture it shows Friargate opposite Claytons Gate at the other side of the road and is the same sort of alleyway.

I'm not sure if there's a prize for the winner...

But that shop "Orbit" is at 119 -120 Friargate. Post Code: PR1 2EE

http://www.192.com/atoz/business/presto ... 4fbcb5/ml/

Richard

[types26/36]

But that shop "Orbit" is at 119 -120 Friargate. Post Code: PR1 2EE
Richard

True....but I thought we were looking for "claytions gate" as per the original posting? Claytons Gate has an entrance off Friargate

[elanfan1]

! Moderators, if you can see what user is affiliated with this e-mail address, can you ban him?

You'll be lucky!

but yes scammier than a scamming scammy thing. Why would a UK seller want payment in dollars.

This ought to be in Free Parking to get best coverage.

[gordont]

yes he emailed me too offering 13x6" minilites (referring to my wanted post), He was "unable to post pictures and wanted western union payment" ......

[gearbox]

Same here for a pair of +2 Caliper mounts. Sounded convincing, even asked for my address to calculate shipping, then pulled the old PayPal doesn't work crap but you can send me a moneygram. For all the ills and complaints about PayPal, it seems that it still provides a reasonable safeguard. I am sure this person will be changing his or her email address and name tag to pursue this further, but the game stays the same, so buyer beware. Someone should remove this persons user ID. But here are all the tell tales of a scam that I have seen:

1) Usually uses a Gmail account
2) Always asks for moneygram or money order
3) Never in your part of the world
4) Never will let you visit them to pick up or inspect the item.
5) If pictures are provided, just google search the image. You will find them from someone elses site.
6) Item is too cheap to be true


Needless to say, they will eventually fine tune their methods, but a few questions will enevatably uncover the truth. BTW, anyone in Scotland? I bought a Twink for $1,000 plus free shipping to the US and haven't gotten it yet.

[oldelanman]

If you suspect an address in the UK may be bogus use the Royal Mail Post Code Finder to check it. In this case it reveals that there is no number 23 in Clayton's Gate, just 4 & 5.

http://www.royalmail.com/postcode-finder